The Effect of a Pre-consultation Tablet-Based Questionnaire on Changes in Consultation Time for First-Visit Patients With Diabetes: A Single-Case Design Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background and objectiveIt has been reported that physicians spend about 50% of their time in the outpatient department doing nonface-to-face patient work, such as charting and desk activities. Work outside of patient consultations is often considered a burden. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the use of pre-consultation tablet-based questionnaires for first-visit diabetic patients had any impact on the time spent for consultation. MethodsThe sole participant was a diabetologist with more than 20 years of experience. The time spent in the clinic was compared via a single-case experimental design (ABAB) using paper-and tablet-based questionnaires for a total of 20 first-visit diabetic patients. ResultsThe median pre-clinical time without patients was significantly shorter in the tablet group than in the paper group (two minutes and 45 seconds vs. five minutes and 39 seconds; p=0.003). The median clinical time with patients in the tablet group was significantly longer than that in the paper group (19 minutes and 37 seconds vs. 11 minutes and 25 seconds; p=0.026). The total clinical time was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.25). ConclusionsOur results suggest that tablet-based pre-consultation questionnaires may have an impact on the allocation of time for medical examinations and improve the quality of diabetes care.

Pre-consultation history taking systems and their impact on modern practices: Advantages and limitations

“…By obtaining a more detailed and accurate medical history prior to the patient's visit, healthcare providers can optimize the time spent during consultations. The same study demonstrated that the clinical time with a patient in a tablet-based group was 19 minutes and 37 seconds, while in paper-based group, it was 11 minutes 25 seconds (p=0.026) [4]. This efficiency empowers clinicians to concentrate on specific concerns, make well-informed decisions, and tailor personalized treatment plans.…”

“…Subsequently, the system of history taking has evolved and improved significantly. Pre-consultation history taking systems empower patients to complete structured questionnaires or surveys before their scheduled appointments, enabling them to carefully consider their medical history and provide comprehensive responses [4]. This approach enables patients to furnish their medical histories at their own pace, thereby reducing the likelihood of overlooking crucial details.…”

“…The significance of pre-consultation history taking systems lies in their potential to improve the quality of healthcare services. A study conducted in Japan evaluated the efficacy of a tabletbased pre-consultation history-taking system in optimizing appointment times for diabetic patients [4]. The results showed that the median pre-clinical time without a patient in a group of tablet-based questionnaire was 2 minutes and 45 seconds, while in a group of paper-based questionnaire, it was 5 minutes and 39 seconds (p=0.003).…”

“…This efficiency empowers clinicians to concentrate on specific concerns, make well-informed decisions, and tailor personalized treatment plans. Additionally, these systems can facilitate a more patient-centered approach, empowering individuals to actively participate in their care and fostering a sense of collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals [4,5].…”